Assessing the role of canopy cover on the colonization of phytotelmata by aquatic invertebrates: an experiment with the tank-bromeliad Aechmea lingulata

Submitted: 7 June 2016
Accepted: 4 November 2016
Published: 16 December 2016
Abstract Views: 4363
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The presence of canopy cover may influence the amount of organic detritus and stored water in bromeliad tanks and, consequently, the colonization of these ecosystems by aquatic invertebrates. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of canopy cover on the colonization of the tank-bromeliad Aechmea lingulata in the restinga, an ecosystem composed of a variety of plant communities in the sandy coastal plains of Brazil. We hypothesized that the taxonomic composition of invertebrate communities would differ between bromeliads covered and not covered by a dense canopy (shaded and unshaded bromeliads). Prior to the beginning of the experiment, bromeliads of similar size were carefully washed to remove all organisms and organic detritus, and their tanks were filled with 1.0 L of spring water. On days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45, 60 and 90, four bromeliad tanks of each shade treatment were sampled to determine invertebrate communities, stored water and organic detritus. Average daily values of water temperature and light intensity were higher in unshaded than in shaded bromeliads. The amount of fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) and stored water did not differ between treatments, but the amount of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) was higher in shaded bromeliads. Ostracoda, Hydracarina and Oligochaeta were the most abundant taxa in bromeliad tanks. Among insects, Culicidae, Chironomidae and Ceratopogonidae were the most representative. Invertebrate colonization occurred quickly and values of abundance were higher in unshaded bromeliads compared to shaded bromeliads. The values for biomass and richness did not differ between treatments or colonization times, and the taxonomic composition of invertebrate communities was similar throughout the experiment. Our results showed that canopy cover had a small influence on the colonization of tanks of A. lingulata in restinga, not corroborating the proposed hypothesis. These findings were likely due to the lack of variation in environmental conditions that are relevant to the colonization process, such as stored water and FPOM. However, because the amounts of CPOM were higher in shaded bromeliads, the taxonomic composition of invertebrate communities could have differed if typical shredders were present.

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Supporting Agencies

Institute of Environment and Water Resources of the State of Espírito Santo, Research Foundation of the State of Espírito Santo, Brazilian National Research Council.
Juliana V. Rangel, University of Vila Velha, Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Rosângela E.S. Araújo, University of Vila Velha, Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Cinthia G. Casotti, University of Vila Velha, Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Larissa C. Costa, University of Vila Velha, Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Walace P. Kiffer Jr., University of Vila Velha, Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Marcelo S. Moretti, University of Vila Velha, Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology
Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology

How to Cite

Rangel, Juliana V., Rosângela E.S. Araújo, Cinthia G. Casotti, Larissa C. Costa, Walace P. Kiffer Jr., and Marcelo S. Moretti. 2016. “Assessing the Role of Canopy Cover on the Colonization of Phytotelmata by Aquatic Invertebrates: An Experiment With the Tank-Bromeliad Aechmea Lingulata”. Journal of Limnology 76 (2). https://doi.org/10.4081/jlimnol.2016.1526.